Armada Cup 2013
February 2013, Plymouth.
The Armada Cup is the first Junior event of the year and sets the standard for the competitive season to follow. With a mixture of Junior Elite and Age Group divers, this competition has tough reputation for achieving results but it was the Cambridge youngsters that brought home the medals.
Ben Cutmore, aged 9, stole the show and put his name firmly on the British Diving map winning gold in the Boys 10 and under platform event. He out-classed the opposition performing dives of the highest quality to finish more than 20 points ahead of second place. Did someone say Tom Daley was looking for a new synchro partner? To add to his gold, Ben also took silver in the 3m springboard and 1m springboard events. Both competitions were closely fought events with Ben just missing out on a second gold in the 1m competition by just one point. Also holding their own were fellow Cambridge Team mates Dominic Jaunzens and Oliver Cook, putting in some very respectful dives and showing huge potential for the future.
Not to be out done, Elora Graham, aged 9, also came home with a silver and bronze in the Girls 10 and under 3m and platform events respectively. Using lower tariff dives than some of her competitors didn't phase Elora as she proved that she has some of the best ripped entries in the country. With her physicality and clean lines through the water, Elora will have a very successful career in diving matching Britain's best. Amelie Fawcett competed well in her first age group event again showing Cambridge has strength and depth within its young team.
Owen Harrison managed three top six finishes in the Boys 12 and under category which is very promising as he is only 11 years old. Owen's back armstand double somersault from the 7.5m platform was a highlight of the weekend's diving. Also competing for the Cambridge Dive Team were Sebastian Jaunzens, Emma Watson, Daniel Murphy, Lucy Watson and Ellen Parrett. All the divers put in a great effort and made a fantastic start to the competitive season. The standard of diving in Britain is forever improving and Cambridge divers are amongst those raising the standards within each age group.
Posted 01/03/2013.
Ben Cutmore
Owen Harrison